"I can't believe that anyone who knows anything about the MCB could take that statement seriously," said Sir Sacranie. (Reuters)

LONDON, August 14, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Britain's leading Muslim organization on Sunday, August 14, dismissed as "absolutely preposterous" a claim by a British newspaper that two of its affiliate groups have extremist roots.

"I can't believe that anyone who knows anything about the MCB could take that statement seriously," Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) Secretary General Sir Iqbal Sacranie told Reuters.

The Observer reported Sunday that the Islamic Foundation, an affiliate of the MCB, was founded by Khurshid Ahmad, a prominent member of Pakistan ’s Jamaat-i-Islami, described by the paper as radical and extremist.

It accused a second affiliate, the Birmingham-based Jamiat Ahl-i-Hadith, of being an isolationist group that demands British Muslims avoid mainstream society.

Sacranie, who was picked among Britain ’s Olympic ambassadors, defended both groups, saying the MCB was proud to have them as affiliates.

Neither of them was involved with extremist politics, he maintained.

The MCB is an umbrella organization inaugurated in 1997 at the Brent Town Hall in Wembley by representatives of more than 250 Muslim organizations from all parts of Britain , including Northern Ireland .

It defines itself as a "vibrant coalition of grassroot organizations and institutions and individual talent and skills that is making a positive and constructive contribution to meeting the needs and the aspirations of the Muslim community."

The MCB says it works for a more enlightened appreciation of Islam and Muslims in the wider society and to foster better community relations and work for the good of society as a whole.

"Pro-Israel"

Sacranie said the MCB had written a letter to the BBC last week, accusing the broadcaster of pursuing a "pro-Israeli agenda" in a documentary due to be aired next weekend.

"We are concerned that the test of whether we are doing good work in the UK is whether we pass the Israel test," he was quoted as saying by The Observer.

"We have a clear position: we oppose the Israeli occupation. But our prime concern is with the Muslim community in this country."

He said that since the 7 July terrorist attacks, the MCB had been subjected to "a campaign orchestrated by the pro-Israel lobby."

In the letter, the MCB said the BBC had approached it to ask for interviews with Muslims as part of a documentary for the broadcaster's flagship "Panorama" program.

The group agreed but said it was then surprised when the "Panorama" reporters asked almost exclusively about Israel .

Inayat Bunglawala, the MCB media officer, wrote to BBC Director-General Mark Thompson protesting.

"It appears that the 'Panorama' team is more interested in furthering a pro-Israeli agenda than assessing the work of Muslim organizations in the UK .

"The BBC should not allow itself to be used by the highly placed supporters of Israel in the British media to make political capital out of the July 7 atrocities in London ." (click to read the letter in full)

A BBC spokeswoman rejected "any allegation of institutional or program bias and is confident the Panorama program will be fair and impartial."

The British minority in Britain , estimated at some 1.8 million people, has been facing soaring racist attacks and media onslaughts since the July 7 attacks by four young British Muslims.

The bombings, which killed 52 people, were strongly condemned by Muslim leaders and scholars.

Steve Green, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire police, has asked his 4,000 officers to wear green ribbons, the traditional color of Islam, to show solidarity with Muslims after the London attacks.

He further urged the public to adopt the ribbon to support Muslims "being held hostage by fear."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has warned against making Muslims "scapegoats" for the London bombings.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur has said the rise in attacks against Muslims "can lead to these communities completely retreating and not engaging at a time when we want their engagement and support."